State Domicile Requirements

James Madison University is a public university within the Commonwealth of Virginia. We go by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Domicile Guidelines to determine eligibility for in-state tuition. Applicants for graduate admission have their residency for tuition purposes determined based on the information provided on their completed Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates. This application is incorporated in our online graduate application for admission based on the initial answers provided on your application. The Graduate School will notify you of your residency determination in your acceptance letter.

Please understand we cannot advise a student prior to applying whether or not they will qualify for in-state tuition. You may review the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Guidelines for Residency Determination by visiting the SCHEV guidelines website.

How to request in-state domicile status

Incoming Students:

When you are offered admission into JMU, you are accepted as an in-state or out-of-state student based on your current domicile or, if you are a dependent student, the domicile of your parents or legal guardian.

Appealing Domicile Status:
Students who want to appeal their initial domicile determination as stated in their acceptance letter should complete one of the following forms.

If you the applicant will be claimed as a tax dependent or will be substantially supported by parent, guardian or spouse on the first day of the term in which he or she plans to enroll, the parent, legal guardian or spouse must complete this supplementary application for Virginia status.

If you will be twenty-four (24) years of age by the first day of the term in which you plan to enroll, you must complete this form.

Supporting Documentation:

• Copies of most current state and federal income tax returns
• Documentation of physical domicile for the past 12 months, i.e. house closing, lease
• Immigration documentation (if appropriate)
• Military Orders or Discharge Papers (if appropriate)
  • Military Dependent Tuition Benefit Form
  • Active Duty Military Tuition Benefit Form

Application and supporting documents can be mailed or emailed to:

The Graduate School
100 East Grace Street
MSC 6702
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

or tgs@jmu.edu 

For additional questions please contact: Lynette Michael, Director of Graduate Admissions at michaeld@jmu.edu

Currently Enrolled Students: Updating Domicile Status

If you are in your second semester or beyond and think you qualify for in-state tuition based on the Code of Virginia, you must initiate a review of your domicile by completing the Domicile Reclassification Application and deliver it to the University Business Office prior to the first day of classes for the semester which you claim eligibility. Delivery of the completed application can be made in person during business hours, by fax to 540/568-7363 or by postal services. If the form is received after the deadline (prior to the first day of classes) then the application will be invalid for the current semester.

Students who are in Virginia for educational reasons are typically not eligible to claim Virginia domicile because the presumption is that they are here for educational reasons and not as “bona fide” domiciles. Dependent students whose parent(s) move to Virginia and establish domicile for a period of one full year may qualify.

Supporting Documentation:

• Copies of most current state and federal income tax returns
• Documentation of physical domicile for the past 12 months, i.e. house closing, lease
• Immigration documentation (if appropriate)
• Military Orders or Discharge Papers (if appropriate)

DEADLINE TO APPLY – Prior to the first day of class for the semester which you claim eligibility.

• Must be received (NOT postmarked) by UBO by the deadline
• Must be delivered during business hours if hand delivered

https://www.jmu.edu/ubo/residency.shtml

If you have additional questions, please contact Brandon Cline-Taskey, University Bursar, at clinebm@jmu.edu.